Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1903 — TOUCHES ON THE LIBRARY. [ARTICLE]

TOUCHES ON THE LIBRARY.

Judge Thompson Gives His Views on this Important Matter. Dear Journal—The old regime of the south are still breathing the chivalry fought in the Wavelry novels. The doctrine of equal rights is not accepted in the broad sense that the people in the north apply it. The railroads have so far shut out the river-boats that freight, the only paying cargo in winter, seeks the new channels. While the rivers flowing into the Gulf at Mobije and Apalaohacon are navigable at all times few crafts are in use. The air is the chief attraction for a tourist and in this latitude it is warm enough. The abundance of fish creates an unpleasant greeting to the olfactories. Sunday night is noisy in all southern towns. The jollity is not divided in the color lines.

We haye read the home papers as to the library. I have no access to the statutes but from memory it seems they are ample. The voted township tax includes property in and out of the city and will bring over four hundred dollars. The six-tenths of a mill authorized to the city will secure the residue of the amount needed. If the building is secured and the county feature is retained the county can contribute seventy-five dollars per year. It is important that there be no division but all interests be united in one well supported library that will be a credit to all of Jasper. As a stockholder of our present institution I would favor passing the books into the care of the new organization. The school library can also be placed under the same managment. The one repository for books would thus become the pride of all to care for and use. The little Weston Park is scarcely roomy enough, but either of the other sites—one controled by the civil and one by the school town—would be a nice place. Neither as desirable as nearer the court house, which will ever be the center for business in our city. These suggestions will do for Ground Hog day.

S. P. THOMPSON.

Pensacola, Florida, Feb. 2,1903.